What to Know
- Metrorail will close at midnight Saturday.
- It's the first night for the early weekend closures. Trains previously stayed open until 3 a.m. on weekends.
- The change is just one aspect of Metro's massive SafeTrack plan, which will last an entire year.
D.C.-area residents who rely on Metrorail to get them around during weekend late-night hours now have to find another way to meet their destination after midnight.
Trains will no longer operate until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The change is part of Metro's SafeTrack plan -- a major maintenance overhaul that will also shut down sections of rail and cause severe service interruptions for an entire year.
Weekend trains will run every 18 minutes before 10 p.m., and every 20 minutes from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Riders should have a backup plan if they expect to stay out longer than midnight or work late on weekends.
Arlington County police were out at bars and restaurants Friday night to remind residents of the SafeTrack changes.
"We want people to come out to Arlington County, enjoy everything that our nightlife has. But be smart about it. Plan ahead. The metro is closing at midnight so think about how you're going to get home safely. If you're enjoying alcohol, it's your responsibility to get home safely," said Ashley Savage, a spokesperson for the Arlington County Police Department.
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Some people who work late at night said they are unhappy because they will have to spend more money relying on Uber or Lyft to get home.
Metro riders are also encouraged to check the system's website to see when their train is set to leave.
For a complete guide for what to expect during SafeTrack, see our procrastinator's guide.
